Tian Yi (Thomas) Zhang
#1
Professor Micah Muscolino
22 November 2022
HILD 10
Guan Yin and the Path of Compassion
Introduction
Buddhism originated around 623 B.C. to 383 B.C. within the northern subcontinent of
modern-day India. By 800 A.D, the ideologies and beliefs of Buddhism were integrated into the
lives of East Asians to some extent.1 Buddhas are those who have attained nirvana, the liberation
from an endless cycle of reincarnation, and have awoken to the great truths. To reach nirvana,
one must venture through the eightfold path. Bodhisattvas are those who reached enlightenment,
yet chose to stay in the mortal realm to help those that are suffering, with Guan Yin being one of
the most renowned.2 With that being said, a question inevitably rises: what elements of
Buddhism cemented Bodhisattva Guan Yin’s popularity in east Asia?
Transmission
The first Buddhist icons arrived on the mainland around the Han dynasty.3 After the Han
dynasty faltered, a period of division ensued for more than 300 years until the Sui dynasty. The
peninsula was also fractured, with Puyo and Koguryo being some of the more organized clans.
The archipelago was much more fragmented with no dominating clan. Under this circumstance,
luxurious goods were the most prevalent items of trade, as the exchange of these luxuries
Micah Muscolino, “Buddhism Basics”, HILD10, Thomas Zhang, PCYNH106, Week 5
Micah Muscolino, “Spread of Buddhism”, HILD10, Thomas Zhang, PCYNH106, Week 6
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Muscolino, “Spread of Buddhism”.
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Tian Yi (Thomas) Zhang
#2
Professor Micah Muscolino
22 November 2022
HILD 10
demonstrated the power and might of the parties involved.4 With this mindset, many aristocrats
chose to show off wealth and power by becoming patrons of Buddhism and accumulating merit. 5
Yet monks and nuns did not own possession and pursue substance, which lured more privileged
individuals to seek the truth behind Buddhism. The lower classes of society did not have the
resources nor mindset to practice Buddhism at first, for they were worried about more practical
issues related to survival.6 Ideas of impermanence, attachment, and practicing the eightfold path
were theoretical and intangible, unable to alleviate the lower classes from starvation and
desperation.7 Interestingly, this pattern eventually changed with the introduction of Guan Yin,
appealing to the spiritual needs of the unprivileged and promoted the ideas of Buddhism among
commoners.
Methods
Bodhisattvas are individuals who practiced the eightfold path and reached enlightenment,
but refused to enter nirvana and chose instead to stay and help the ones that are suffering. Their
ultimate goal is to open their followers’ eyes to the four noble truths: the truths of suffering,
cause of suffering, end of suffering, and path that leads to the end of suffering. Guan Yin was
said to be an east Asian representation of the compassionate Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara, an
Indian prince.8 When his icon entered the mainland, Chinese translators such as Xuanzang
4
Schneewind, A New Outline, 127
Sarah N. Schneewind, A New Outline History of East Asia to 1200, third edition (San Diego 2022), 123.
6
Micah Muscolino, “Buddhism’s Appeal”, HILD10, Thomas Zhang, PCYNH106, Week 5
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Muscolino, “Buddhism Basics”
8
Muscolino, “Spread of Buddhism”.
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Tian Yi (Thomas) Zhang
#3
Professor Micah Muscolino
22 November 2022
HILD 10
derived the name “[The One Who] Perceives the Sounds of the World". As the name suggests,
Guan Yin can perceive the cries for help from his/her loyal followers, and pull them from
danger.9 This notion was much more appealing to the lower class, given the period of constant
warfare. The state was concentrated on diplomacy, officials were spread too thin, so commoners
can only turn to religion for comfort.
It is understandable that most people are unable to accept these truths when outright
stated, so in order to convey these rational explanations, Buddhists use methods categorized as
expedient means. Rational explanations are the big truths of life such as the three marks and the
five aggregates, and expedient means are the skillful techniques for guiding people to understand
and accept these Buddhist truths. Through expedient means, Buddhists convert people with
techniques specifically according to the characteristics and preferences of those being converted.
Therefore, Buddhist ideas and teachings were often embedded in stories, statues, and art, which
interested all ages, genders, and social classes.10
In terms of stories, there were numerous tales of Guan Yin consisting of how he/she
saved followers from danger. Although people were saved by Guan Yin in these tales, what was
inconsistent was the form Guan Yin appeared as. Initially, wall paintings in Dun Huang created
around the Sui period show Gan Yin as a man with a thin mustache, but female representations
of Guan Yin gained popularity going into 400 A.D.11 As worshippers of Guan Yin increased and
more stories were recounted, the depiction of Guan Yin changed. One such story was of a widow
Micah Muscolino, “Buddhism in East Asian History”, HILD10, Thomas Zhang, PCYNH106, Week 6
Muscolino, “Buddhism’s appeal”.
11
Muscolino, “Spread of Buddhism”.
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Tian Yi (Thomas) Zhang
#4
Professor Micah Muscolino
22 November 2022
HILD 10
named Li, who was imprisoned under charges of harboring an escapee. Guan Yin reportedly
appeared in her cell and magically freed her from her shackles. Another story was of a caitiff
captive named Che Mu who escaped and was guided home by seven points of firelight after his
mother prayed to Guan Yin for a year.12 Interestingly, the first story referred to Guan Yin as a
man, while the second saw Guan Yin as the seven firelights. Over time, reports of Guan Yin
being female increased, changing the depictions from male-dominated to female-dominated.
Implications
With a compassionate and helping nature, Guan Yin served as a beacon of hope for
commoners, a hope for survival in the chaos. The notion that a powerful being protects the
common people only encouraged more to worship Guan Yin. Although Guan Yin’s main role is
to save people, his/her actions and behaviors also educated believers. The three marks of
existence, which are impermanence (anicca), suffering or discontent (dukkha), and not-self
(anatta), relate extensively to Guan Yin’s role. They apply to all things, including thoughts,
feelings, and experiences. Because things are impermanent, satisfaction never lasts, and suffering
always follows. Those that are suffering will call for the help of Guan Yin, who takes on a form
that can best help the caller in distress, demonstrating the idea of the not-self through the endless
cycle of birth and rebirth.13 The form of Guan Yin believers perceive when they are saved is only
but a practical designation for a temporary composite, and with shifts of the five aggregates,
Robert Ford Campany, “The Earliest Tales of the Bodhisattva Guanshiyin”, in Donald S. Lopez,
Religions of China in Practice, Princeton University Press. (1996), 81
13
Muscolino, “Buddhism’s appeal”.
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Tian Yi (Thomas) Zhang
#5
Professor Micah Muscolino
22 November 2022
HILD 10
Guan Yin can be reborn in a different form to help others in need. This also implies that Guan
Yin uses expedient means, as the different forms of Guan Yin always manage to help followers
reach safety with understandable and acceptable methods. This way, people can be led to
understand the teachings of Buddhism in a much quicker manner.14
Conclusion
In summary, by helping people with no segregation through expedient means, Guan Yin
accumulated large amounts of followers during times of unrest. Guan Yin’s abilities allowed
commoner families to find security and hope. Commoners contributed to the stories of Guan Yin,
suggesting that by practicing expedient means, Guan Yin shifts form based on the needs of
his/her followers. Guan Yin’s characteristics and actions reflected the three marks of existence
and the five aggregates, which educate believers and expand the number of followers. Thus, it is
indeed no surprise that Guan Yin was named one of the four great Buddhas, with a statue here in
San Marcos in her honor, nine thousand miles away from where he/she originated from.
14
Muscolino, “Spread of Buddhism”.